Quiet Ruler due for annual wake-up

ELMONT, N.Y. - Quiet Ruler paid $93 and $42.80 in winning the last two runnings of the Mohawk Handicap on New York Showcase Day at Belmont Park. Quiet Ruler's form coming into Saturday's Mohawk looks bleak, but then again, he does his best when the odds are stacked against him.

is among 12 New York-bred turf horses entered in the 1 1/8-mile Mohawk.

The best finish this year from Quiet Ruler, who hasn't won a race in 10 starts since last year's Mohawk, was third in a steeplechase race in April.

Despite Quiet Ruler's record in the Mohawk, it seems prudent to look elsewhere in the field for a winner.

The main contenders are Irish Colonial, who finished last as the favorite over an extremely soft course in last year's Mohawk, and Golden Commander.

Irish Colonial carries 119 pounds as the highweight, one pound more than Golden Commander.